Niron Magnetics and MATTER are collaborating to evaluate the integration of rare-earth-free Iron Nitride permanent magnet technology and Variable Flux Motor (VFM) designs into high-performance electric motorcycle powertrains.
The collaboration focuses on reducing reliance on rare earth materials in electric motors by combining MATTER’s experience in liquid-cooled powertrains, integrated gearboxes, and vehicle control systems with Niron Magnetics’ Iron Nitride magnet technology.
Iron Nitride magnets are designed to provide high magnetic performance without the use of rare earth elements, addressing supply chain and material sustainability challenges associated with conventional EV motor designs.
As part of the evaluation, the companies have developed a prototype motor system intended for high-power two-wheel electric vehicle applications. The program is assessing potential improvements in torque delivery, efficiency across operating speeds, acceleration, thermal stability, and vehicle range when using Variable Flux Motor architectures enabled by Iron Nitride magnets.
Variable Flux Motors are designed to adjust magnetic flux during operation, reducing the typical trade-off between low-speed torque and high-speed efficiency found in fixed-flux motor designs. In electric motorcycles, this approach can support strong low-speed performance for urban riding while maintaining efficiency during steady-state operation.
The collaboration is exploratory and focused on technical feasibility, scalability, and integration into production-oriented electric motorcycle platforms. The work reflects broader industry interest in alternative motor materials and architectures that reduce dependence on rare earth elements while maintaining performance requirements for electric mobility applications.
Filed Under: Electric Motor, Technology News